Hot Fur Stripes: Tiger Shifter Paranormal Romance (Striped Passions Book 1) Read online

  “I’m so sorry Terrence.” Jasmine took a small breath. “What happened to your mother?”

  “My brothers and I have not seen our dear sweet mother since she left.”

  “Okay,” Jasmine replied, observing a trace of anger in the shifter’s words.

  “So, what brought you to Durham, Jasmine?” Terrence asked, eagerly changing the topic of conversation. Jasmine had a thousand questions dangling in her mind and was burning for answers but pushed aside her selfish wants and wallowed in the little flood of happiness she felt from Terrence opening up his heart to her.

  “Well, one of my best friends, Aleesha, she’s from Providence too, used to haul me over here for parties, and Durham has the best party spots and party animals-pun intended.” Terrence chuckled at her remark. “It also has the best career opportunities so it was a natural move for us. Serena, also one of my best friends-she wasn’t that adventurous so she moved to Buxton. Life over there is less crazy which suits her.”

  “Well I’m happy for Aleesha’s existence.”

  “I’m sure you are.”

  “So where do you want to meet tomorrow?”

  “I’ll let you choose.”

  “How about Apesse Polo Club tomorrow evening around six. I will be up to my chin in meetings most of the day.”

  “Fancy fancy,” Jasmine teased.

  “It is. But I will meet you wherever you want. Cafeteria, public bathroom.” Jasmine nearly fell off the bed laughing.

  “Who are you?”

  “A man I wish you’ll take a chance on and find out there’s more to him than just money, power, and being a shifter.” Terrence and Jasmine stopped breathing for a few seconds.

  “Terrence…”

  “I’m sorry, I’ll see you tomorrow at six.”

  “Okay, six ‘o’ clock.”

  “Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “No.”

  “Don’t trust me, do you?”

  “Terrence I couldn’t resist you in your gigantic apartment, if I get into a car with you...”

  “I won’t let things get that far-oh we’ll steam up the windows for sure-but it would only go so far.”

  “You have some serious restraint Mr. Devereux, an unbelievable level of restraint.”

  “There is something I value more over my desire for you Jasmine.” Jasmine’s forehead wrinkled

  “Six tomorrow, see you then.”

  “See you.”

  Terrence was gone. Jasmine tossed the phone across the bed and continued to stare at the moon. I need to get this interview done by tomorrow. Why does this man have such an effect on me? Why can’t I get him out of my mind? And why can’t I stop thinking about his offer to be his mate? I have to end this as quickly as possible, by tomorrow I shall have Terrence Devereux out of my life.

  Chapter 5

  Jasmine grabbed her bag and stepped out the driver’s seat of her hatchback car. She briefly looked up at the sky which was heavy with sunset and filled her lungs with a deep breath of the summer evening air. She closed the door and waited for Aleesha to alight from the passenger side before locking the vehicle. Jasmine was wearing a white sundress, little makeup as she did the night before and her hair was pinned at the nape of her neck. Aleesha wore in snug white pants and a red top with a low cut which offered a teasing view of her cleavage. Jasmine glanced at Aleesha and shook her head.

  “What?”

  “Aleesha, you are something else.”

  “Hey, you know my rule of always looking delicious in case some starving hunk wants to eat me up.” Jasmine looked skyward then ahead at Apesse Polo Club. When Jasmine informed Terrence that a friend would be accompanying her, he chuckled over the phone making Jasmine wanting to slap him. Then kiss him. “Needing a buffer Ms. Moore?” Terrence had asked. Whenever he spoke her name, it sounded like honey aflame. And that was exactly why she invited Aleesha.

  They made their way to the entrance of the exclusive establishment which sported immaculately pruned gardens and decorative walkways. Terrence was backing them, standing outside chatting with another man who was a hair shorter than he was. As they approached, the man’s identity became undeniably clear from his rock star looking hairstyle; sides cut low with sculpted, dark wavy hair crowning his head. It was Trent Devereux. He was as strikingly handsome as his brothers but his posture emanated cockiness and tremendous confidence. “Lord-have-mercy Jasmine,” Aleesha purred as they drew closer.

  “Down girl,” Jasmine instructed.

  Aleesha’s eyes met and held with Trent’s. She felt as if he was massaging her body just by sweeping it with his gorgeous light grey eyes. Jasmine nudged Aleesha in her side as they reached the siblings.

  “Hello,” Jasmine greeted the pair. Terrence turned around and his face warmed instantly when he saw Jasmine, the woman to whom his heart belonged from the first moment he set eyes on her. And she belonged to him. If only I could make her believe that….

  He surveyed her up from head to toe. Jasmine found herself paying Terrence equal attention; his black shirt with the first few buttons undone, offered a heart-racing view of his firm, defined chest. Trent cleared his throat, breaking the simmering exchange.

  “Jasmine this is my brother Trent, Trent this is Jasmine.” Trent and Jasmine shook hands.

  “Pleasure to meet you Ms. Moore.”

  “Likewise,” Jasmine responded, her eyebrows forming a peak at the mention of her surname. It was clear to Jasmine that she had been a topic of conversation between Terrence and his brother at some point in time. She wondered what had been said about her. Jasmine turned towards Aleesha.

  “Terrence this is my friend Aleesha.” Aleesha and Terrence shook hands as well. Trent was impatient for an introduction. He stepped in front Aleesha, towering over her and took her right hand into his, lifting it to his mouth and brushed her wrist softly with his lips.

  “An indescribable pleasure,” he murmured in a deep, warm voice, looking into her eyes.

  “Melting,” Aleesha replied, tilting her head to one side, feeling absolutely giddy with pleasure.

  “May I buy you a drink, Aleesha?”

  “Is that all you’re offering?”

  “How does the sun and the moon on the rocks sound?”

  “Inviting.” Trent tucked Aleesha’s arm around his and the couple disappeared inside the club. Terrence and Jasmine stared after them. Jasmine sighed.

  “She’s going to be pregnant before nightfall.” Terrence laughed, rich and deep. The sound was the sexiest thing Jasmine had heard in a long time. Or maybe ever.

  “So much for your buffer Jasmine.” Terrence reached out and touched Jasmine’s cheek. Her breath became trapped in her chest. “Shall we?” Terrence covered the small of her back with a hand and started inside the building. Heat pricked Jasmine’s skin at his touch and she focused on her surroundings in an effort to distract herself from the desire that was hijacking her body.

  The furnishings of the club were extravagantly plush and decorated in shades of burgundy, ivory and chocolate. They spotted Trent and Aleesha by the bar chatting and sitting so close to each other they were practically in each other’s laps. Terrence guided Jasmine to a corridor on their left and through a door marked private which opened up into a secluded garden, flanked by golden palms. A small pool was in the centre of the shaded area. Jasmine stood still when she saw the bed on the deck with a champagne coloured, filmy canopy. On top a small table next to it was a bottle of rum and two glasses. Jasmine felt her body grow even hotter and her clothes instantly felt three sizes smaller. Terrence leaned over to whisper in her ear.

  “Don’t worry, we won’t be having sex on that bed. I promise.” The only place we will make love is at Varick Hall, my ancestral home where all mating for life begins. It’s where you will become my mate. Become mine. And fulfil my promise. Jasmine was very unconvinced. Terrence gently ushered her towards the bed.

  “Take off your shoes and make yourself comfortable.” Jasmine hesitated
before walking over to the bed, parting the filmy material surrounding it. She gingerly sat on the mattress and placed her bag on the tiled area below her feet. Bending over, Jasmine pulled off her sandals and tucked them under the bed frame. Terrence watched Jasmine as she opened her bag, pulled out a recorder and swung her legs onto the mattress-beautiful, silky, brown legs that gave him an excruciating erection.

  “Would you like a drink?” Terrence offered.

  “N-no thank you,” Jasmine replied, she wanted to be in full command of her faculties. Terrence approached the bed, relieved his feet of their shoes and sat next to Jasmine. Jasmine knew her assignment was going to be a challenge but not to such an insane degree. All she wanted to do was screw off the interview, shove Terrence onto his back and kiss him as she had never kissed any man before. Then strip them both naked and ride him as if the world’s end was mere minutes away.

  “Jasmine?”

  “Huh?” Jasmine blinked quickly a few times.

  “Are you daydreaming?”

  “What-uh-no.”

  “I asked you if you’re ready for me.”

  “Oh yes I am,” Jasmine breathed. Terrence grinned and ran a finger along her instep.

  “Oh…I believe you are…”

  “F-for the interview, Mr. Devereux.” The finger was now circling the skin of her ankle. Terrence’s touch was sugared lava and Jasmine released a soft moan.

  “Does that mean you want me to stop, Jasmine,” Terrence asked, his eyes searching hers as his finger travelled along the inside of her leg. Jasmine, you are losing control girl, pull this craziness back.

  The recording device slipped from her hand.

  “Don’t stop Terrence,” Jasmine whispered. “Please, don’t stop.”

  Chapter 6

  Terrence thought he would come right there and then at Jasmine’s impassioned order. He pulled his full frame onto the bed, closed the curtain then covered her body with his, leaving only the silhouettes of their bodies visible. Jasmine was waiting with outstretched arms which wrapped eagerly around Terrence’s neck. She kissed him hard, their tongues met, entwined and engaged in fervent exploration. Terrence rocked his hips against Jasmine, eliciting another moan. She grabbed handfuls of his hair, arched her back and thrust her body against his hardness. Terrence moved his mouth away from Jasmine’s and slowly pulled away to kneel between her thighs, and pushed her dress up to her waist. Terrence battled a powerful, painful urge to rip her panties away and bury himself deep inside her. This woman will be the death of me. He loved every inch of her bewitching body, how she responded to his touch, made him feel as if he would be the only man to ever make her feel the way she was, right there in that moment.

  “Open for me Jasmine.” Jasmine’s body hummed and quivered in pleasure at his request. She parted her thighs for Terrence who marvelled at her pouting flesh partially divided by a lacy white thong.

  “Wider.” Jasmine promptly obeyed. She was open to Terrence. Vulnerable. On the brink of desperation. She wanted him now, and hard. She wanted to yell his name as she came. Jasmine clutched the sheets impatiently and her hazel eyes pleaded for satisfaction. Terrence moved in closer, hooked a hand under one knee and pushed her leg back against the side of her chest. He pulled the thong aside and a solitary thumb caressed her then parted her wet, throbbing lips. Jasmine whimpered, her eyes fluttered and closed and her hold on the sheets tightened.

  “You’re so, so wet…are you hot for me…sweet Jasmine?”

  “Yesss,” she hissed. His thumb made small, sensual circles over her most intimate spot. Jasmine sucked in a hard breath and bucked her hips against his hand.

  “You like that?”

  “I like that.”

  “Then, you’ll love this.” Slowly, slowly, Terrence pushed one of his long, big fingers inside her. It glided into her hot, soft, slick depths until it could go no further.

  “Yes, I love it!” The finger slid out and glided back in again, joined by two more. Jasmine gave a soft cry, her nails threatening to slice into the sheets; her hips began to rock in a fervid rhythm. Terrence continued, working his hand back and forth, curving his fingers slightly as they went deep inside her, sending tremors through her. He was enthralled at her escalating state of ecstasy. Jasmine panted softly as her movements became frenzied, a blazing orgasm was building, spiralling through her. She bit down hard on her lower lip, her breasts heaving as the climax crashed through and over her, hips lifting high off the bed, a loud moan erupting from her lips as she shuddered and clenched around Terrence’s hand. Terrence’s fly threatened to rip open. His cock twitched uncomfortably in the confines of his pants. Damn I want to bury myself so deep inside her, make her come so hard she can’t hold back like she’s doing now. Terrence’s hand slowly retreated as Jasmine floated back to earth, lowering her hips back onto the mattress. He pulled her panties back in place. Jasmine wore a questioning, disappointed look, her breath coming in small gasps.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Jasmine-”

  “I want you, now,.”

  “Can I ask you something Jasmine?”

  “Uh, sure.” Jasmine replied, feeling utterly deflated and brought her legs together. She thought Terrence had lost his mind. How could he take me so far and not follow through? What kind of man is capable of such a thing?

  “Do you believe someone can fall in love at first sight?” he asked, fixing her dress. Jasmine straightened up and watched him closely.

  “No, not really.”

  “Do you have feelings for me, besides physical attraction that is?”

  “Are you asking me if I have fallen for you-are you trying to say that you have fallen for me?” Jasmine asked incredulously. Terrence pulled the curtains apart and got off the bed. He walked to the table and poured a drink, consuming it in one gulp and turned back to Jasmine.

  “I am not trying to say anything,” he said, putting the glass down. “I am telling you that I have fallen for you.” Jasmine slid off the bed and went to join Terrence.

  “You are joking, right?”

  “I assure you, in no uncertain terms, is this conversation a laughing matter,” Terrence said. He looked at Jasmine, a serious expression enveloped his attractive face. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his pants.

  “I will be honest with you Terrence, I do have feelings for you, more than physical. I have had this insane attraction towards you since I first saw you on a business segment of the news. And after our meeting yesterday I can’t stop thinking about you, and I don’t want to.” Jasmine held Terrence’s face in her palms. They regarded each other in silence for a few moments.

  “So there’s no one else you’d rather be with?”

  “No I am not interested in anyone else.”

  “So what’s stopping you from becoming my mate?”

  “This is too fast Terrence, we barely know each other.”

  “People date for a long time and it still ends in a breakup.”

  “True but doesn’t time improve the chances of a relationship being long term?”

  “What about belief, what about taking risks, isn’t that how it all starts out?” Jasmine sighed and caressed Terrence’s cheek bones with her thumbs. “You are destined to be mine Jasmine Moore, I feel it to my very bones. And don’t tell me you don’t believe that even if for a fleeting moment.

  “I admit I feel drawn to you like I have never, ever felt with anyone before. It’s like I can’t resist you no matter how I try. It’s so hard.”

  “It’s hard because you’re handling it wrong,” Terrence explained, freeing his hands to grasp Jasmine’s hips.

  “I am?”

  “Just give in to me, to fate, and it will all be so easy, so sweet, and unforgettable.” Terrence kissed her passionately, running his hands up and down her back.

  “Say yes to me, to us,” he breathed against her lips.

  “I want to.”

  “I’m waiting.”

  “Terrence I have plans o
f starting a new job in another country, plans to build my career which is very important to me.”

  “If you be mine, you can have your own publishing company, I will take care of you and love you, always.”

  “Terrence I-”

  “Please at least think about it Jasmine, promise me.”

  “I will, I will.” Jasmine replied. “But what if I say no?”

  “You won’t.”

  “Terrence I’m serious what if-”

  “Then I have to find someone else to settle for and be miserable.”

  “That’s the last thing I want for you.”

  “You have until Thursday, midnight, though it would be nice to have an answer before.”

  “What? Why the rush-why are you in such a hurry?” Terrence desperately wanted to share with Jasmine why there was such a sense of urgency but he believed the explanation may come off too irrational.

  “I’m ready for a life of more than just business acquisitions and meetings, I need a partner, I want to start a family.”

  Jasmine nodded and let her hands fall to his shoulders then onto his chest, playing with the buttons of his shirt.

  “I’m sure you can understand that I can’t possibly finish this interview today. My mind has ran away at least a thousand miles.” Terrence kissed the side of her mouth.

  “And that’s all my fault. Where should we meet tomorrow?”

  “Waterfront Bistro, say around ten?”

  “I can’t wait. And maybe, just maybe, you might have an answer to my proposal.”

  “We’ll see,” Jasmine said. Waterfront happened to be her favourite spot to eat and unwind; she dined there at least three times a week, mostly for breakfast or dinner. She moved away from Terrence and headed back towards the bed to fish her shoes from under it and slipped them on. After picking up her recorder and popping it into her bag, Jasmine gave Terrence a lingering look then walked away. Her mind and heart were in turmoil.

  Terrence couldn’t speak for Jasmine but he knew that there would not be much sleep for him as he awaited an answer that would change his life greatly, whether or not it was in his favour.